About

So, who are you?

I’m Abby. I grew up in a small town in central Pennsylvania (Go Bubblers!), lived in Pittsburgh for seven years, and then Philadelphia, but now I’m back in the area of my home sweet hometown. I live with my husband, Skyler, our dog, Dale, and our two cats, Buxton and Dave.

Why did you decide to start a blog?

Well, I’ve been writing/journaling/blogging for as long as I can remember. I even had a Xanga back when that was cool. But now, it’s kind of how I unwind. My mind goes a million miles a minute, so it’s therapeutic to be able to write it all down.

What’s with the name?

For a long time, I didn’t have a name for my blog, aside from my own. Don’t get me wrong, I know a lot of people who have named their passion projects or businesses after themselves, but it was never something I loved.

It was a random Thursday, and I felt like I was smacked with a ton of bricks of inspiration. I completely redesigned my entire website and came up with a name. Well and Cheaply, taken directly from one of my very favorite books, written by my very favorite author. Not to mention, there is not a single sentence in the entire world that better describes my life.

We ate well and cheaply and drank well and cheaply and slept well and warm together and loved each other.

– Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

Besides blogging, what do you like to do in your free time?

Lots of things! I really love coffee (like, a lot), books, food, wine, antiquing, traveling, a well-curated Instagram… you know. All of the things that everyone loves these days.

So, what’s your favorite book?

First, anything by Ernest Hemingway. He has such a blunt and humorous writing style that has, and will continue to, stand the test of time. Outside of that, my favorite book is probably 1984. I read it for the first time in high school and it’s the one book I will reread time and time again. Runner up: Brave New World.

Where can you find the best wine?

My favorite reds can be found at Pittsburgh Winery or Reid’s Winery in Gettysburg. Both are small, local wineries, who invest all of their resources into producing a few extraordinary wines, rather than a myriad of mediocre ones. Hats off to them. As for a good white, Jonathan Edwards in North Stonington, CT offers an awesome selection, and a beautiful vineyard to walk through on a hot, summer day. It’s a dream.

What’s your best antique find?

Probably a 1950s Polaroid camera. It was in pristine condition.

If you could have dinner with one person, past or present, who would it be?

My Memaw. She was a kind, sweet soul.

Anything else your readers should know?

I’m an aesthetically-driven person. If it looks lovely, be it a meal, a room, a website or a homemade card, I will likely love it.